Jay-Z has released him most recent CD entitled Volume 2 Hard Knock Life.
Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.
The nice thing about a CD like this is when the talent is this rich even if Rap isn"t your favorite style you still can"t help but appreciate the greatness of the artist.
I"m of the opinion that Volume 2 Hard Knock Life is certainly Jay-Z"s best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it"s a collection that even the casual Rap fan can appreciate and enjoy.
While this entire CD is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 - Hard Knock Life, track 8 - Coming Of Age, and track 14 - Money Ain"t A Thang.
My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Intro-Hand It Down. Outstanding!
Volume 2 Hard Knock Life Release Notes:
Jay-Z originally released Volume 2 Hard Knock Life on September 29, 1998 on the Def Jam label.
CD Track List Follows:
1. Intro-Hand It Down - (featuring Memphis Bleek) 2. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) 3. If I Should Die - (featuring Da Ranjahz) 4. Ride Or Die 5. Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99) - (featuring Big Jaz) 6. Money, Cash, Hoes - (featuring DMX) 7. Week Ago, A - (featuring Too Short) 8. Coming Of Age (Da Sequel) - (featuring Memphis Bleek) 9. Can I Get A... - (featuring Amil/Ja Rule) 10. Paper Chase - (featuring Foxy Brown) 11. Reservoir Dogs - (featuring The Lox/Beanie Sigel/Sauce Money) 12. It"s Like That - (featuring Kid Capri) 13. It"s Alright - (bonus track, featuring Memphis Bleek) 14. Money Ain"t A Thang - (bonus track, featuring Jermaine Dupri)
Personnel includes: Jay-Z (rap vocals); Wais, Half Dead, Big Jaz, Amil, Liz (vocals); Steven Jordan, Lil" Rob (various instruments); Jake Carter, Mike (guitar); Kid Capri (programming); Memphis Bleek, Da Ranjahz, DMX, Too Short, Ja Rule, Amil, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri, The Lox, Beenie Siegel, Sauce Money. Producers include: Premier, Mark 45, Swizz Beats, Steven Jordan, Timbaland.
Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Paul Falcon, Joe Quinde.